Carrying case for defibrillator

ABSTRACT

A carrying case for external defibrillator having at least one surface-mounted operation features. The carrying case includes a main interior compartment that securely holds a defibrillator such that at least one of surface-mounted operational features of the defibrillator is accessible to the operator without removing the defibrillator from the carrying case. This enables the defibrillator to be used while held in said main interior compartment. At least one storage compartment is provided having an interior dimension adapted to hold at least one item associated with the defibrillator. The storage compartment has an associated aperture formed on an exterior of the carrying case such that the storage compartment is accessible from an exterior of the carrying case.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/188,471, filed Nov. 9,1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,669.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a carrying case for portableelectronic equipment and, more particularly, to a carrying case for aportable external defibrillator.

2. Related Art

Sudden cardiac arrest is a disruption of the heart's functioning thatcauses a lack of blood flow to vital organs. In a majority of instances,sudden cardiac arrest is manifested as an abnormal or chaotic heartrhythm, called arrhythmia. These instances are generally identifiable bythe victim's immediate loss of pulse, loss of consciousness and acessation of breathing.

Sudden cardiac arrest has been attributed to over 350,000 deaths eachyear in the United States, making it one of the country's leadingmedical emergencies. World-wide, sudden cardiac arrest has beenattributed to a much larger number of deaths each year. Unless medicalintervention is initiated, sudden cardiac arrest can lead to deathwithin a matter of minutes. To date, the average survival rate forsudden cardiac arrest remains at around 5 percent. In cities withtraffic congestion and slow elevators, the survival rate is estimated tobe as low as a mere 1 percent.

There are four critical components of medical treatment that must beadministered to a victim of sudden cardiac arrest: (1) early access toemergency care; (2) early cardiopulmonary resuscitation to keep theblood oxygenated and flowing to the victim's brain and other vitalorgans; (3) early defibrillation (the application of an electrical shockto the heart) to restore the heart's regular rhythm; and (4) earlyaccess to advanced medical care. When a person is experiencing suddencardiac arrest, the electrical activity within the heart becomeschaotic. An electric shock from a defibrillator can reorganize theelectrical impulses to allow coordinated pumping action to resume. Toadminister this shock, special pads from a machine called adefibrillator are placed on the victim's chest, and an electric shock issent through the victim's body from one pad to another. As used herein,the term “pads” will include both pads and paddles.

If prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation is followed by defibrillationwithin about four minutes, the victim's chances of surviving suddencardiac arrest can approach or exceed forty percent. Promptadministration of defibrillation within the first critical minutes isconsidered one of the most important components of emergency medicaltreatment for preventing death from sudden cardiac arrest.

Since prompt defibrillation is critical to survival, portabledefibrillators have been developed that can be carried to the victim'slocation to defibrillate the victim prior to reaching a hospital. Theseportable defibrillators, like other sensitive electronic equipment, canfail if dropped or bumped during transportation or exposed to adverseenvironmental conditions. Additionally, various wires, pads and othersupplies are needed to operate the portable defibrillator and must betransported along with the defibrillator.

Carrying cases have been developed to protect portable defibrillatorsand associated supplies during transportation and while in storage. Oneof the more common carrying cases is made of fabric, commonly referredto as a soft side case, in which the defibrillator is placed. Soft sidecases typically are formed from a fabric envelope without significantstructure and are occasionally provided with a large pocket, in whichassociated supplies, such as cables and pads, are stored. Soft sidedcases, while occasionally adequate to protect the defibrillator againstthe elements, offer very little protection to the defibrillator in theevent the defibrillator is dropped or bumped during transportation.Additionally, supplies and cables within the supply pockets often becometangled, hindering deployment of the defibrillator.

Another common case for transporting and storing portable defibrillatorsis a hard sided case having two symmetrical or similar halves hingedtogether, similar to a suitcase. Although this case effectively protectsthe defibrillator against damage during transportation, it has proved tobe unsatisfactory in use. Specifically, to deploy the defibrillator, itis necessary to unlatch and open the case (i.e. separate the two halvesof the case to expose the enclosed defibrillator), remove thedefibrillator, close the case and set the case aside. This processconsumes valuable time which could be spent defibrillating the victim orotherwise attempting to save the victim's life. Additionally, the casemust be managed at the scene; in a crowded and hectic environment, thecase can occupy valuable space that could be used by medical personnelor other instrumentation.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a carrying case for aportable external defibrillator that is compact, easy to use, and thatwill adequately protect the defibrillator against hazards associatedwith transportation and storage. It would also be advantageous to have acarrying case that will not contribute significantly to cluttering thescene of the medical emergency nor extend the amount of time required toset up the defibrillator prior to operation. Additionally, it would beadvantageous to have a carrying case that would provide for organizationof the wires, pads and other supplies typically used in connection withoperation of the defibrillator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a carrying case for an external defibrillatoror other electronic device that is compact, easy to use, and that willadequately protect the device during transportation and use. Thecarrying case includes a body structure that defines a main compartmentdimmensioned to retain the defibrillator such that at least onesurface-mounted operational feature of the defibrillator is immediatelyexposed and accessible without removing the defibrillator from thecarrying case. Also included are storage compartments, each dimmensionedto receive, store and retain items operationally associated with thedefibrillator. Each storage compartment has an aperture formed on anexterior of the carrying case such that each storage compartment isimmediately and separately accessible from an exterior of the carryingcase.

Generally, the surface-mounted operational features include anoperational control panel of the defibrillator. Here, a side of saidmain compartment adjacent to the operational control panel is configuredwith an aperture sufficiently large to provide access to the panel. Insome embodiments, a zippered flap covers the aperture. Thesurface-mounted operational features may also include, for example, abattery pocket access door. In this embodiment, a side of the maincompartment adjacent to the battery pocket is configured to include anaperture sufficiently large to enable the operator to quickly and easilyreplace a battery in the battery pocket. Other operational features mayinclude, for example, display panels, speakers, electrical and datacommunication ports, etc.

The carrying case includes one or more doors each associated with astorage compartment. The doors are movably mounted on the body to belocated in a plurality of positions. When in a closed position, the doorobscures the aperture of the associated storage compartment preventingaccess to items stored therein; when in an open position the door isadjacent to the aperture, allowing such access to the stored items. Theitems may be any item operationally related to the defibrillator.Preferably, such items stored in each storage compartment will include acombination of one or more supplies, cables and pads that arefunctionally related. For example, in one storage compartment monitoringequipment is stored. Such monitoring equipment may include, for example,an EKG cable and a finger SpO₂ cuff cable. It is also preferable thatone of the storage compartments is dimensioned to store replaceableitems. In certain embodiments, a zipper is provided in place of suchdoors.

In an alternative embodiment, at least one storage compartment isconstructed and arranged to store one or more connectable items adaptedto be operationally connected to the defibrillator. This storagecompartment is formed at a location in the carrying case body structureto enable the connectable items to be and remain connected to thedefibrillator while stored in the storage compartment.

Preferably, a portion of the body structure is comprised of a materialenabling an image of items stored in certain “transparent” storagecompartments to be externally visible. This enables an operator to viewcontents of such transparent storage compartments without opening theassociated door.

In another aspect of the invention a carrying case for a defibrillatoris disclosed. The carrying case includes a body structure constructedand arranged to include a first compartment configured to detachablysecure the defibrillator within the compartment. The first compartmentis defined by walls of the body structure, certain of walls of whichhave apertures to provide direct and immediate operator access to one ormore control panels of the defibrillator. A plurality of storagecompartments are also defined in the carry case body structure. Each ofthese storage compartments is configured to store one or more supplies,cables and pads. Importantly, each storage compartment has at least onewall defining an exterior of the carrying case, the exterior wall havingan aperture adapted to be covered by a door movably mounted on the bodystructure. This enables each of the storage compartments to beseparately accessible from the exterior of the carrying case withouthaving to reposition the defibrillator or access any other storagecompartment in the carrying case. Preferably, either or both the bodystructures and doors comprises a transparent portion enabling anoperator to view the content of certain storage compartments withoutopening the door associated with that storage compartment.

In another aspect of the invention a combination of elements including aportable defibrillator and a carrying case is disclosed. The carryingcase includes a semi-rigid sub-frame structure defining a plurality ofindividual and separately accessible compartments, at least one of whichis adapted to accommodate the defibrillator in such a manner as toenable access to one or more surface-mounted operational features,including a control panel of the defibrillator without removal of thedefibrillator from the carrying case. Embodiments of the carrying casealso include a flexible outer cover covering at least a portion of thesub-frame forming exterior walls and/or doors of certain storagecompartments. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the flexibleouter cover disposed over some of the storage compartments istransparent to facilitate viewing of contents of such compartments. Inone particular embodiment, the sub-frame structure further defines astorage compartment constructed and arranged to accommodate replaceableitems associated with the operation of the defibrillator.

Further features and advantages of the present invention as well as thestructure and operation of various embodiments of the present inventionare described in detail below with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals indicate identical orfunctionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most one or twodigits of a reference numeral identifies the drawing in which thereference numeral first appears.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims.The above and further advantages of this invention may be betterunderstood by referring to the following description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view, of the carrying case accordingto one embodiment of the invention for use with a portable externaldefibrillator;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the carrying case of FIG. 1 containing theportable external defibrillator and associated wires, pads and supplies;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the carrying case of FIG. 1 containing theportable external defibrillator and associated wires, pads and supplies;

FIG. 4 is a front end view of the carrying case of FIG. 1 containing theportable external defibrillator and associated wires, pads and supplies;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, of an alternative embodiment of thecarrying case of the invention for use with a portable externaldefibrillator;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the carrying case of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the carrying case of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a front end view of the carrying case of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded, perspective view, of the carrying caseillustrated in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is a carrying case for an external defibrillatoror other electronic device that is compact, easy to use, and that willadequately protect the device during transportation and use. FIG. 1 isan exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the carrying case ofthe present invention for use with a portable external defibrillator. Asshown in FIG. 1, a carrying case 100 includes a rigid sub-framestructure 20 and a flexible outer cover 22 formed over the sub-framestructure 20. The sub-frame structure 20 has a pair of side walls 26, 30that cooperate with a back wall 28 and central floor 29 to define acentral compartment 24 for receiving a portable defibrillator 10.Cushioning materials such as bumpers (not shown) may be included toprotect the defibrillator from its anticipated environment. Optionally,a layer of cushioning foam may be used to line the interior of thecentral compartment to partially isolate the defibrillator and toprotect the defibrillator from ordinary bumps and drops. Other materialsthat absorb or deflect forces experienced by the carry case 100 duringits anticipated transportation, use and storage may also be used, as isknown in the art.

The portable defibrillator 10 is removably secured in the centralcompartment 24 with screws, bolts, rivets, tie downs or other suitablefasteners. Preferably, captive hardware is used. Optionally, hooks orother cooperative retaining mechanisms could be formed on the portabledefibrillator 10 and in the central compartment 24 to retain theportable defibrillator 10 within the central compartment 24. Likewise,straps, elastic bands, magnets, or virtually any other device capable ofsecurely retaining the portable defibrillator 10 within the centralcompartment 24 could be used in connection with or instead of thefasteners.

Significantly, carrying case 100 is configured such that the operationalcontrol panels of the portable defibrillator 10 are accessible withoutremoving the portable defibrillator 10 from the carrying case 100. Inthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the central compartment 24 doesnot include a top side, cover or panel. As a result, when defibrillator10 is secured within the compartment 24, the top surface 81 of thedefibrillator is permanently exposed, providing the operator withcomplete and immediate access to the operational panel 82 on the topsurface 81.

It is preferable that all sides of the carrying case compartment 24 thatare adjacent to operational features of the defibrillator 10 haveopenings sufficient to expose such features. For example, on the leftside of top surface 81 is a speaker 83 which is also exposed when thedefibrillator 10 is secured within compartment 24. Also, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 4 the front side of compartment 24 is also substantiallyopen to provide access to a PCMCIA card 84 and battery 85 located belowhandle 70 on the lower front surface of the defibrillator 10. Thus, thecarrying case 100 facilitates rapid deployment of the portabledefibrillator while providing optimal protection for the defibrillatorduring transportation.

In accordance with the present invention, the carrying case 100 includesa number of individual storage compartments for supplies, cables, padsand the like, each of which is separately accessible from the exteriorof the carrying case without having to reposition or otherwise move thedefibrillator 10. Each storage compartment is preferably dimensioned tostore one or more specific items. It is also preferable that the itemsto be stored in each compartment are functionally related. For example,monitoring equipment such as EKG cable 38 and finger cuff cable 40 maybe stored in the same compartment. Similarly, all replaceable items maybe stored in one compartment. Other arrangements are considered to bewithin the scope of the present invention. It is also preferable thatcompartments storing items which are to be connected to thedefibrillator are configured to allow such connection while the itemsare stored in the compartment. As will be described below, suchcompartments would be located adjacent to the appropriate defibrillatorports and include interior walls having apertures, through-holes or thelike to facilitate such connections. To provide independentaccessibility, each individual storage compartment is provided with adoor, cover, or zippered access. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, thepresent invention provides individual, externally-accessible storagecompartments each dimensioned to hold functionally related itemsadjacent to appropriate surfaces of the defibrillator 10 to maintainconnections with the defibrillator 10 while stored.

A right compartment 32 is formed adjacent the central compartment 24 tothe right of the central compartment when viewed from the front. Theright compartment 32 is defined by the wall 26, the back wall 28, aright external wall 34 and a front wall 36. Optionally, the wall 26could be wholly or partially eliminated and the left portion of theright compartment could be at least partially defined by the right edgeof the defibrillator contained in the central compartment 24. The frontwall 36 in the illustrated embodiment extends from the front surface 86of the defibrillator and does not substantially cover the front surfaceof the defibrillator to provide the noted access to ports on the frontsurface 86 of the defibrillator 10. The front wall could optionallyextend wholly across the front of the defibrillator if access to thefront of the defibrillator during normal operation was not required.

The right compartment 32 is configured to store or dimensioned tostore/hold an EKG cable 38 and a finger cuff cable 40 duringtransportation and storage. In one embodiment, the portabledefibrillator 10 is provided with a locking door 42 to secure the EKGcable 38 and finger cuff cable 40 in engagement with mating receptacleson the portable defibrillator 10. The finger cuff cable 40 may beeliminated if the defibrillator is not equipped to obtain SpO₂ data. Aspare roll of paper 39 (illustrated in FIGS. 2-4) for the defibrillatorprinter may be contained in the right compartment 32 as well. If thecarrying case 100 is designed for use with an electronic device otherthan a portable defibrillator 10, the right compartment could beconfigured, constructed and arranged to contain other appropriatecables, supplies, or items used in connection or combination with theelectronic device.

The right compartment 32 illustrated in FIG. 1 does not have a floorformed from the sub-frame structure 20. Instead, the bottom of the rightcompartment 32 is formed by the flexible outer cover 22. A floor couldbe provided, however, if desired, without unduly complicating themanufacturing process. Omitting the floor from the sub-frame structure20 reduces the overall weight while only somewhat reducing the strengthof the resulting carrying case 100. To further reduce the weight of thecarrying case 100, portions of the walls could be removed, such as byforming apertures in the walls. As shown in FIG. 1, an aperture in theform of a cut-out 88 is provided in wall 26 to enable cables 38 and 40to be connected to the defibrillator 10 while stored in rightcompartment 32. Such an arrangement eliminates the need to make suchconnections at the time the defibrillator is operated.

A left compartment 44 is formed to the left of the central compartment24 when viewed from the front. In the illustrated embodiment, the leftcompartment 44 is formed to be the mirror image of the right compartment32 but is designed to contain defibrillator cables and a spare battery50. In alternative embodiments, spare battery 50 is stored in a lowercompartment 54 described below. If the carrying case 100 were designedto be used with an electronic device other than a portable defibrillator10, the left compartment could be configured, constructed and arrangedto house or transport other supplies, cables, or items. The section ofthe front wall 36 forming the left compartment 44 preferably has a slot52 through which the defibrillator cable can pass to prevent the cable48 from becoming detached from the portable defibrillator 10 during use.

A lower compartment 54 is formed below the central compartment 24. Thelower compartment may optionally be extended to also be formed belowportions of one or both of the right compartment 32 and the leftcompartment 44 by providing the respective compartment with a floorformed from section of the sub-frame. The lower compartment is designedto hold replacement defibrillator pads 46 and other replaceable suppliesthat may be required by the operator of the defibrillator, such asgloves, etc. Optionally, the lower compartment 54 may be sized tocontain pads without requiring the pads to be folded prior to insertion.The lower compartment is defined on top by the sub-frame underlying thecentral compartment; in the back, by the back wall 28; and on the sides,by extensions of walls 26 and 30.

In a preferred embodiment, the footprint of the carrying case 100 is notsignificantly larger than the portable defibrillator so that thecarrying case 100 does not unduly contribute to cluttering the otherwisehectic and crowded scene associated with reviving the victim. Thus, inthe illustrative embodiment lower compartment 54 is provided rather thanproviding a large side compartment.

The walls of the sub-frame 20 defining the various compartments may beformed independently and attached using appropriate fastening memberssuch as rivets, screws, bolts, etc. or may be adhered or joined usingultrasonic welding, an appropriate adhesive such as cyanoacrylate, or byany other known method.

A semi-rigid molded material 60 is preferably wrapped around the outsideof the sub-frame structure 20 to define the shape and appearance of thecarrying case 100. Although a flexible molded material is preferred, anymaterial, rigid or flexible, that is capable of retaining the componentswithin the respective compartments may be used. Examples of suitablematerial include plastics, high durometer rubber, canvas, etc. In onepreferred embodiment, thermally-formed, fabric covered foam is utilized.Preferably, at least portions of the flexible molded material are formedof a clear material such as a clear plastic or plexiglass so that theoperator can view the content of the compartment without opening thecompartment. By using a transparent material, the status of the supplieswithin the compartment is immediately apparent to the user of thedefibrillator. This is especially helpful for the situation where thesupplies, such as replacement batteries, are dated and must be replacedafter expiration of a particular period of time. The transparent portionof the flexible molded material may be bonded or attached to theremainder of the material by sewing, adhesives, thermal bonding, or anyknown appropriate method, depending on the type of materials involved.

In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, each compartment has adoor moveably mounted to the carrying case 100 to provide accessseparately to the contents of each compartment. In the illustrativeembodiment, access flaps 62, 64, 66 are formed for the left compartment,lower compartment and right compartment, respectively, and are rotatablyconnected to the flexible molded material. Access flaps are delineatedfrom the remainder of the flexible molded material 60 by hinge lines 72,74 and 76, respectively. Hinge lines 72, 74, 76 creased, scored orliving hinges formed better integral section of material. These types ofhinges are preferable in certain applications because of their abilityto prevent penetration into the compartment of dust and moisture fromthe surrounding environment. Hinge lines 72, 74, 76 may also be formedby any other type of know hinge, such as metallic hinges or otherstructures capable of rotatably coupling the access flaps 62, 64, 66 tothe rest of the flexible molded material. If desired, a flap may beprovided over the central compartment 24 to enclose the portabledefibrillator 10 as well.

Optionally, the flaps may be formed such that closure of the accessflaps causes the respective compartment to be sealed from theenvironment. Forming seals on access flaps may be done in any knownmanner. Likewise, if desired, one or more of the access flaps 62, 64, 66could be provided with a locking mechanism to prevent unauthorizedaccess to the respective compartment.

The sub-frame structure 20, flexible molded material 60 and access flaps62, 64, 66 together provide a plurality of individual compartments eachexternally accessible and configured to hold functionally related itemstogether. Importantly, the access flaps provide access to the individualcompartments to an operator so that the operator need not sort throughextraneous items to locate the appropriate accessory. This provides forbetter supply management, improved cable strategy and easier operation,all of which contribute to reducing the amount of time required to setup and begin use of the defibrillator when responding to a medicalemergency. Also, having independently accessible compartments reducesthe risk of spillage and hence contamination of the contents of thecompartments by the surrounding environment.

A strap 68 may be attached to the front wall portions 36 to facilitatetransportation of the portable defibrillator 10 and carrying case 100.During transportation of the defibrillator, the user will typicallycarry the defibrillator 10 and carrying case 100 by the strap over theperson's shoulder or by a handle 70 on the defibrillator 10. In thissituation, either the left compartment 44 or the right compartment 32will form the leading surface of the carrying case 100 duringtransportation, and thus the surface that is the most likely to impacton a stationary object, such as a desk, table, etc. Accordingly, thecompartments themselves serve the dual purpose of forming bumpers toprotect the defibrillator from impact during transportation.

Although the carrying case disclosed in this application has beenexplained with respect to a portable external defibrillator, theprinciples described herein could easily be applied to cases fornon-portable defibrillators, or to carrying cases for other medicalinstruments and electronic devices such as EKG monitors, lap-topcomputers, palm-top computers, printers, portable stereophonicequipment, portable video equipment, and other types of consumer orprofessional electronic equipment.

Likewise, although the carrying case described in detail herein has acentral compartment designed to accommodate the electronic device, thecarrying case could be modified to accommodate more than one electronicdevice, such as a defibrillator and a cellular phone, or could bemodified to accommodate the electronic device in a compartment otherthan the central compartment. For example, the lower compartment or oneof the right and left compartments could be formed to accept and retainthe electronic device.

Finally, the carrying case is not necessarily limited to having fourcompartments, as described herein. Any number of compartments could beformed, for example, by bifurcating or otherwise separating one or moreof the compartments. Likewise, it may be possible to form fewercompartments by eliminating portions of the walls separating the variouscompartments. Accordingly, the number of compartments could be modifiedto suit the particular application and the particular electronic devicefor which the carrying case is designed.

An alternative embodiment of the carrying case of the present inventionwill be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 5-9. FIG. 5 is aperspective view of an alternative embodiment of carrying case 500 foruse with a portable external defibrillator. FIGS. 6-9 are a top, side,front and an exploded perspective view, respectively, of the carryingcase 500.

Carrying case 500 includes a rigid sub-frame structure 20 and a numberof self-contained compartments secured thereto. As noted above, thepresent invention provides individual, externally-accessible storagecompartments each dimensioned to hold items related to the defibrillator10. To provide independent accessibility, each individual storagecompartment is provided with a centrally-located zipper rather than acompartment door or flap as in the above described embodiment. Incontrast to the above embodiment, each compartment in carrying case 500is individually complete; that is, the carrying case is modular,reducing the time and cost associated with assembly. The compartmentsare preferably made of thermally-formed, fabric covered molded foam andare primarily zippered compartments.

The sub-frame structure 20 has a pair of side walls 26, 30 thatcooperate with a back wall 28, central floor 29 and side compartments 44and 32 to define a central compartment 24 for receiving portabledefibrillator 10. The portable defibrillator 10 is removably secured inthe central compartment 24, preferably with captive hardware, althoughany type of fasteners such as those noted above may be used to retainthe portable defibrillator 10 within the central compartment 24.

As with the above embodiment, carrying case 500 is configured such thatthe operational control panels of the portable defibrillator 10 areaccessible without removing the portable defibrillator 10 from thecarrying case 500. However, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5-9,central compartment 24 includes a top cover 502 zippered to sidecompartments 44, 32 to protect the top surface 81 of the defibrillator10. As shown in FIG. 5, looped pull-tabs are preferably provided tofacilitate locating and grasping the zipper and operating the top cover502. Preferably, the top cover 502 is removably secured to the othercomponents of carry case 500, such as with a snap connector 504 thatmates with a corresponding snap connector 506 on lower compartment 54.This enables top cover 502 to be easily and quickly removed from thecarry case 500, exposing the top surface 81 of defibrillator 10.

As shown, top cover 502 includes two flaps, one to cover a rear portionwhile the other covers the top of defibrillator 10. In one preferredembodiment, the top flap of the top cover 502 includes a see-throughpouch for storing a quick reference instruction card while the rear flapincludes a pouch that retains a set of pre-connected pads. Thisfacilitates the quick application of a shock to a waiting victim byeliminating the time associated with removing the pads from a storagecompartment and attaching them to the defibrillator 10.

A lower compartment 54 is formed below the central compartment 24. Thelower compartment 24 includes a battery pouch 508 for receiving a sparebattery (not shown). The lower compartment 54 includes a door flapsecured with a bottom door latch 510. A strap 68 may be attached to thecaptive D-rings 512, 514 extending from lower compartment 54 tofacilitate transportation of the portable defibrillator 10 and carryingcase 500.

In the illustrative embodiment, injection molded rails 516, 518 aresecured to frame 20 below side compartments 44, 32. Such rails enablethe carrying case 500 to be sled mounted in EMT and other vehicles.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications of theembodiments shown in the drawings and described in the specification maybe made within the spirit and scope of the present invention.Accordingly, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted in anillustrative and not in a limiting sense. The invention is limited onlyas defined in the following claims and the equivalents thereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. An external defibrillator carrying casecomprising: a body structure defining a main compartment dimensioned toretain the defibrillator such that at least one surface-mountedoperational feature of the defibrillator is permanently exposed withoutremoving the defibrillator from the carrying case, the defibrillatorbeing removable from the main compartment, and one or more storagecompartments each dimensioned to store one or more items associated withthe defibrillator, each said storage compartment having an apertureformed on an exterior of the carrying case such that each storagecompartment is immediately and separately accessible from an exterior ofthe carrying case.
 2. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein said atleast one surface-mounted operational feature is an operational controlpanel of the defibrillator and wherein a side of said main compartmentadjacent to said operational control panel is constructed and arrangedto provide access to said operational control panel.
 3. The carryingcase according of claim 1, wherein said surface-mounted operationalfeatures includes a PCMCIA card door located on a front surface of thedefibrillator and wherein a front side of said main compartment isconfigured to include an aperture sufficient to provide access to saiddoor.
 4. The carrying case of claim 1, further comprising one or moredoors each associated with one or said one or more storage compartments,said one or more doors movably mounted on said body to be located in aplurality of positions including a closed position wherein said doorobscures said aperture of said associated storage compartment preventingaccess to items stored therein, and an open position wherein said doordoes not obscure said aperture of said associated storage compartmentallowing access to items stored therein.
 5. The carrying case of claim1, wherein the items comprise a combination of one or more supplies,cables and pads that are functionally related.
 6. The carrying case ofclaim 5, wherein one of said storage compartments is constructed andarranged to store monitoring equipment, including at least one of an EKGcable and a finger cuff cable.
 7. The carrying case of claim 5, whereinfunctionally related means replaceability and wherein one of saidstorage compartments is constructed and arranged to store replaceableitems.
 8. The carrying case of claim 5, wherein said one or more storagecompartments include at least one second storage compartment constructedand arranged to store one or more connectable items adapted to beoperationally connected to the defibrillator, said second storagecompartment formed at a location in said carrying case body to enablesaid one or more connectable items to remain connected to thedefibrillator while being stored in said second storage compartment. 9.The carrying case of claim 1, wherein said body structure is comprisedof a material enabling an image of items stored in one or moretransparent storage compartments to be externally visible, enabling anoperator to view contents of said one or more transparent storagecompartments without opening said associated door.
 10. A harrying casefor a defibrillator, comprising: a body structure constructed andarranged to include, a first compartment, configured to secure thedefibrillator within said first compartment, the defibrillator beingremovable from said first compartment, said first compartment defined bywalls of said body structure, certain of said walls having apertures toprovide direct and immediate operator access to one or more controlpanels of the defibrillator; and a plurality of storage compartmentseach configured to store one or more supplies, cables and pads, eachsaid storage compartment having a wall defining an exterior or thecarrying case, said exterior wall having an aperture adapted to becovered by a door movably mounted on he body structure, whereby saidplurality of storage compartment are separately accessible from anexterior of the carrying case without having to reposition thedefibrillator or access any other storage compartment of the carryingcase.
 11. The carrying case according to claim 10, wherein said bodycomprises a transparent portion enabling an operator to view the contentof the storage compartment without opening the storage compartment. 12.The carrying case of claim 10, further comprising at least one doormovably mounted with respect to the body and associated with the storagecompartment.
 13. The carrying case of claim 12, wherein the door isrotatively connected to said body structure.
 14. The carrying case ofclaim 13, wherein said doors are connected to said body structure by ahinge.
 15. The carrying case according to claim 12, wherein closure ofthe at least one door will cause the associated storage compartment tobe sealed from the environment.
 16. A combination, comprising: aportable defibrillator; and a carrying case including, a semi-rigidsub-frame structure defining a plurality of individual and separatelyaccessible compartments, at least one of said compartments being adaptedto accommodate the defibrillator in such a manner as to enable access toa control panel of the defibrillator without removal of thedefibrillator from the carrying case, and a flexible outer covercovering at least a portion of said sub-frame.
 17. The combination ofclaim 16, wherein at least a portion of said flexible outer cover istransparent and wherein at least a portion of said transparent portionof said outer cover is disposed over at least one of said plurality ofcompartments to facilitate viewing of an interior and contents of saidat least one of said plurality of compartments.
 18. The combination ofclaim 16, wherein the sub-frame structure further defines a lowercompartment constructed and arranged to accommodate replaceable itemsassociated with the operation of the defibrillator.
 19. The combinationof claim 18, wherein said replaceable items includes at least one pairof defibrillator pads.
 20. The combination of claim 16, wherein theitems comprise a combination of one or more supplies, cables and padsthat are functionally related.